Framed hand bag and removable cover therefor



INVENTOR.

L. PERL Filed July 3l, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Nov.. 5, i935.

FRAMED HAND BAG AND RDMDVABLD covER THERDFOR 0\v mIIH.,

' www@ Nw'o 5 M35, 1 PERL FRAMED HAND BAG AND REMOVABLE COVER THREFOR Filed July 51, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES JPArgrrr orifice FRAMED HANDBAG AND REMOVABLE COVER THEREFOR Application July 31, 1935, ASerial No. 33,937 22 Claims. (01.150-29) This invention relates to devices such ashandbags and reversible covers therefor, and has particular reference to framed handbags.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described having improved means for mounting a removable or reversible cover on a handbag in such a manner that substantially no fastening means are visible and the conventional appearance of the device Ymaintained.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a .device of the nature set forth having improved means Yfor mounting -a reversible cover so that the foundation bag can be used without 15 the cover and the neat, conventional characterl of the bag maintained.

Specifically, it is an object of the invention to furnish a device of the type mentioned wherein the cover is extended over the tops of the 'frame .members and improved means .reliably holding the cover in position for quick and easy removal.

Another object of the invention is to construct a device of the class alluded to having 'the cover overlying and infolded on .the top portions of the foundation bag without interfering with the spacing, alnement or arrangement .of the locking means for the bag, regardless whether the cover is in attached or detached position, and the bag being adapted to be uniformly closed'in either case.

Another object is to hang the cover over the frame members to cause less stress on the cover securing means.

Another object is to provide improved detachable holding means for a cover so arranged that the handbag locking means when in closed position aids the holding means in securing the cover.

Another object of the invention is to cause the cover to be substantially uniformly held in position, without bulging or wrinkling ,particularly where the cover passes over the top of the bag.

Another object of the invention is to ,provide improved cover holding means movable to different positions according as the cover is attached or detached to maintain the neat conventional appearance of the device.

Another object of the Yinvention is to provide a device of the character described having relatively few and simple parts, and which is inexpensive to manufacture, durable, reliable, rapid and convenient in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become app-arent as the specification proceeds.

With the aforesaid objects in view, the invention consists inthe novel combinations and ar- .rangements of parts hereinafter .described in device embodying the invention. 10

Fig. 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of a pair of one of duplicate companion vframe means, showing the bag and cover secured there- Fig. 3 is a similar sectional View of the com- 15 panion `vframemember but with the cover removed.

'Fig. 4 is a transverse sectionalsview of a frame member with cover holding means in open position. 20

Fig. `5'is a transverse sectional view of a frame member taken on the 1ine5--5 of Fig. 6, but with the .cover 'holdingmeans removed.

`Fig. '6 is a. 'fragmentary 'longitudinal sectional View o'f a frame meanstaken on the line ti-S of 25 Fig. `2,'but with the bag material removed.

Fig. '7 is a perspective .isometric view of the .cover holding means as a separate element.

Fig. l8 is a fragmentary view in side elevation showing the details of a fastener elementshank. 30 Fig.`9`is a sectional view taken generally on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8, but with the heads of the Vview taken on the line Ill-I4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 Yis a fragmentary perspective isometric view of `a Yclip v.means .for attaching a modified holder to-a foundation bag frame, with a portion of the correspondingly modified cover shown 50 in dot-dash lines.

Figs. 16 and v17 are transversesectional views thereof ythrough the clip means and Ashowing the cover holder :in 'different positions.

Fig. 18 is Aa'perspective isometric lview of the 55 modified cover holder element in detached position.

Fig. 19 is a plan view of the'modified cover.

The advantages of the invention as here outlined are best realized when all of its features and instrumentalities are combined in one and the same structure, but, useful devices may be produced embodying less than the whole.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to which the invention appertains, that the same may be incorporated in several diierent constructions. The accompanying drawings, therefore, are submitted merely as showing the preferred exemplication of the invention.

Referring in detail to the drawings, 20 denotes a device embodying the invention. The same may include a handbag 2l, and a cover 22 therefor. The handbag 2l may be regarded as a foundation bag, and the cover 22 is intended to be representative of any type suitable for a foundation bag.

The device 20 includes two side portions or structures each of which may be a duplicate of the other, except that a handle 23 is provided on only one side of the cover, as hereinafter described in detail. Hence a description and showing of one side of the device will apply also to the other side thereof.

The bag 2| may include a plurality of U- shaped channel frame members 24 movably or pivotally interconnected at the lower ends of their legs for movement in the usual manner toward and away from each other for opening and closing the bag. These frame members are preferably shown as being of the inverted type. Associated with each frame member 24 is a frame element 25 adapted to attach the cover 22 to the bag 2|.

The side walls 26 of the bag are suitably secured in their frame members between the inner and outer anges 21, 28 respectively, of the frame members, and above the bottom walls 23 of the same. Said side walls are folded downwardly over the outer flanges 28, which are of less width than the inner anges for a purpose hereinafter described.

The cover 22 may desirably be wholly open at its ends 30 and may inwardly fold at 3l over the upper marginal portions of the foundation bag, to be removably secured in a suitable manner between the side walls or frame members of the foundation bag. Such securement is desirably effected in a manner which will cause the cover to lie smooth and taut along the top of the foundation bag, and which will permit the latter to be tightly closed, preferably in detached as well as in attached position of the cover, and without leaving any open spaces when the cover is detached.

The cover is secured to the walls of the foundation bag preferably at the frame members thereof. For this purpose, I may utilize the frame elements 25. As shown in Fig. '1, each of these elements may include a side wall 32 having an upper relatively narrow lip 33A and a bottom flange 34. Both of the parts 32, 33 extend the full length of the bag and frame members 24 as indicated in Fig. 1, but the bottom flange 34 is undercut at its ends at 35- so as to be adapted to enter between the legs of the frame members 24 and to thus underlie the bottom walls 28 thereof. The lip 33 and flange 34 extend at right angles to one side of the wall 32 and the inner flanges 21 of the frame members. Hence the lips 33 are adapted to overlie the top edges of said inner walls and the adjacent fold portion of the cover. Not only do the lips 33 thus securely hold the cover against shifting, bulging and the like, but they afford a novel, neat and attractive appearance for the device 23. The effect is enhanced because, due to the diminished width of the outer flanges 28, the folds 3l of the cover 22 may lie substantially in the plane of the lips 33.

The frame elements 25Y may be rnovaloly engaged in a suitable manner with their respective frame members 24. This movement must be such as to be not only capable of permitting attachment and detachment of the cover 22, but also preferably to close the space which would otherwise obtain between the lips 33 and the top edges of the inner flanges 21 when the cover is removed.Y Also the movement ought to be limited so as not to affect the spacing between the frame members 24, and hence to assure uniform action of the locking means 35 regardless whether the cover is attached or detached. The different positions of the frame elements 25 are indicated in Figs. 2 and 3.

In order not to permit detachment and possible loss of the frame elements 25, I may mount them preferably in permanent pivotal connection with the frame members 24. Desirably the pivotal connection may be automatically or spring actuated to accomplish the movements mentioned. For instance, the flange 34 may have one or more upstanding ears 31 adapted for suitable insertion into the frame members 24, as through slots 38 in the bottom walls 28. Through each ear there may extend a wire spring 39 preferably ofl angular cross section, and the ear may be formed to prevent relative rotation with the wire. Said spring may lie lengthwise of the frame member 24 and may have an angular part or lever arm 4l! extending downward along the leg of the frame member 24, with the spring subjected to torsion in the well known manner to thereby cause the frame element 25 to move outward toward its frame member 24 and to grip the cover as shown in Fig. 2. For actuating the frame elements 25 downward, an anchorage may be provided for each spring 33, such as a pin 4l that passes transversely through each frame member 24 and is secured in the flanges thereof. The pin may be near an end of the spring 353 and in spaced relation to the coacting ear 31 and overlies the spring to tend to hold the latter down along the bottom wall 28. Thus the spring tends to move the frame element 25 downward and simultaneously outward as shown in Fig. 3, in which thecover 22 has been removed, and the lip 33 closely overlies or contacts the top edge of the outer ange 21. The same action causes the cover to be snugly pressed against the side of the flange 21 and downward by the lip 33 upon the top edge of the flange as indicated in Fig 2.

To facilitate ample pivotal movement of the frame elements 25 as shown in Fig. ll for attachment and detachment of the cover, the ears 31 may be bent or offset outwardly, that is, away from the walls 32.

To limit the angular movement of the frame elements 25 toward their frame members, the inner iianges 21, for instance, may have suitable spacer means such as pins 42 which may also anchor the cover by engaging in the holes 43 thereof. One or more of these pins may be provided, and they may abut the walls 32 of the frame elements 25, particularly in the detached position Icover is attached or not, and the catch or ball portions can operate with uniform accuracy. When the cover is in attached position, the pins need not abut the frame elements 25, so that ample pressure by the elements on the cover is assured.

If it be desired that the lips 33 shall conceal the top edges of the inner anges 2l, the plates or Shanks 43a. for the fastener elements, secured to the said flanges may be outwardly offset as at lll.

The cover 22 may have cut outs l5 to receive the upward projecting shanks of the fastener elements 35. Since the cover is reversible, these out outs must be adapted to register with the said Shanks in any position and hence they are made in symmetrical relation to the center oi the cover.

In order to cause the cover to snugly t around.

said Shanks at the cut outs, I preferably provide shank or plate portions that are in complete register with each other so as to ll up the cut outs. Heretofore such portions were in oliset or staggered relation to each other.

Due to the space occupied by the frame elements 25 between the frame members 2d, oiset constructions may be provided to assure a uniform closure of the bag. Different arrangements are shown in Figs. 10 and 11, in the former of which plates lil may be secured to the inner flanges of the legs. These plates extend from the lower edge of the wall 32 at the out outs 35 to the lower ends of the legs and terminate above the ears that pivotally interconnect the frame members- 2d. The plates il `are of sufficient thickness for contact with each other on closing the bag. In Fig. 11, the legs of the frame members 48 are oiset inwardly at l9 to provide an otherwise similar offset or closure means.

According to Fig. 12, the offset arrangements may be dispensed with and one frame member 59, while otherwise like the members 2li, may have plates 5l connected to the edges of the inner anges 52 of the legs thereof. may extend a distance similar to that of the plates 41 and may receive between them the adjacent portions of a companion frame member such as 25 to close the space between the legs of the frame members.

I provide handle means 23 for the cover, a feature heretofore lacking, especially in reversible covers. Handles must be strongly reenforeingly attached, yet by my arrangement bulkiness is avoided and the handles connected rapidly. More particularly, I utilize a pair of handle elements 53, 5G, one for each side of the cover, and stitched thereto at 55 at the same points for mutual reenforcement. rIo connect the handles in this manner, without permitting the lower handle to slip out of position is a problem, and hence I use slits 56 through which the end portions of the handle 52 are passed, with the end portions of the handle 54 overlying the same. Not only is the handle 54 thus prevented from slipping, but the operator can observe and readily stitch by machine the end portions of both handles to the cover simultaneously and accurately and without running off one of the handles.

The method of using the device 2t will now be briefly described. It will-be noted at the outset `means 35.

These plates 5I that the same maybe used to furnish bags of `three diierent colors, appearance or designs.

Thus the cover 22 is reversible and presents a diierent appearance at its opposite sides with the different handle elements 53, 55 conforming to the appearances of the diliferent faces of the cover. Also the foundation bag 2l can be used as a separate bag, without the cover 22. To attach the cover 22, the frame elements 25 are successively sprung inward as shown in Fig. 1.1, and

the cover 22 engaged at holes 43 on the pins 2.

Then the frame elements are released so as to be outwardly moved by their springs 39. At the same time, the operator may apply an upward force on the frame elements 25 against the springs 39 and to cause the lips 33 to engage over the cover as shown in Figs. l and 2. The device 2i! may now be latched closed as by the locking To remove the cover 22, for reversal or for use of the bag 2| alone, the above operation is merely reversed. If the bag 2i is used alone, the frame elements 25, which are always actuated outward and downward by their springs 39, seat with their lips 33 on the fianges 2l as shown in Fig. 3. The frame elements 25 may be maintained parallel to said inner iianges by contact with the pins 42, and by engagement oi the ears 3l or Shanks thereof in the slots 33.

When the bag 2| is closed, the same may become somewhat bulged due to articles therein. Consequently the cover 22 may be subjected to some tension. However, the elements 25, l2 are sufficient to hold the cover in place, and may be aided by the latching device 36 which prevents any releasing' movement of the frame elements 25.

In Figs. 15 to 19 is shown a modification of the invention comprising frame members and elements Si), 6 l, respectively, corresponding in all respects to members and elements 25, 25, except that the frame elements are detachably instead of pivotally engaged with the frame members, as by upward opening spring clips 53 secured to the inner ange 6l! of each frame member. Each kspring clip may be generally U-shaped with one shown positions corresponding to those in Figs. 3

and 2 respectively, and illustrating that when the cover 63 is removed, the lip l0 seats on the inner` flange and the parts 6l are engaged in the bottom portions of the clips. When the cover is applied, the parts 61 seat in a corrugation in an upper part of the clips. To apply or detach the cover, the frame elements 6| are of course first removed. In every case, it is noted that the clips 55 may act as a spacing means between the elements 5| and the inner iianges Gill to hold the former parallel to the latter.

The cover 69 may have cut outs 'H to receive the clips 65, and may have slots 'l2 to receive any frame projections or the elements of any locking device such as 36, as hereinbefore described in connection with the cut outs 45 of the cover 22.

The manner of using the modication is .substantially the same as that for the device 20.

It may be noted .that additional advantages of the invention reside in .the fact that lips such as 3aiordprotectionof the foundation vbag and cover against excessive wear at the top folds thereof. These lips can naturally be made of any required width as shown for example in the lips 10. Then again, the cover is free of any end reenforcement, but is reenforced by the attaching means and the foundation bag frame. The cover securing means may be regarded as mounting the cover on the sides of the foundation bag, as at the frame members, and hence as located between the sides or frame members.

An important aspect of the invention resides in hanging the cover over the rigid frame members to depend therefrom and thus to cause less stress on the cover securing means in tautly mounting the cover around the bag.

The pins 42 may be regarded as fasteners for the cover or as releasably snugly or press fitted in the holes 43 to hold the cover, with the plates such as 25 and Si omitted. In such an arrangement, the cover is held smooth and flat between the frame members 24 by pressure thereof when the handbag is latched closed as at 36. The cover can be reversed, but the foundation bag could not be used without the cover because of the opening or space between the top portions of the frame members that would result upon removal of the cover. The principle of utilizing the frame members for exerting pressure therebetween is also embodied in the other modifications of the invention as hereinbefore described. Also the offsets such as 41, 49 may be regarded as end closure means.

I claim:

l. A handbag including a bag element having side walls, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to open and close the same, and means for releasably securing said walls to the frame members including plates mounted on said frame members and being movable into diiferent positions toward and away from their respective frame members for engaging and releasing said walls, said plates spacing the frame members from each other and affording a marginal closure therebetween in the said engaged position thereof with the handbag closed, said plates being connected with the frame members to snugly and continuously press the edge portions of said walls against the frame members to prevent wrinkling of the walls and detachment thereof and latching means releasably interconnecting the frame members and coacting with said plates to cause the latter to be pressed into bag engaging position in the closed position of the handbag.

2. A handbag including a bag, frame members of U-shape therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, said frame members having their top portions spaced from each other in the closed position of the bag and having legs including means for closing the ends of the bag in the said closed position thereof, a removable cover for the bag, said cover having portions extending inward into the bag ovei` said top portions and through the spacing therebetween, and said cover being spaced from those portions of the frame member legs that face each other.

3. A handbag including a bag, frame members of U-shape therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, said frame members having their top portions spaced from each other in the closed position of the bag and having legs including means for closing the ends of the bag in the said closed position thereof, a removable cover for the bag, said cover having portions extending inward into the bag over said top portions and through the spacing therebetween, said cover being spaced from those portions of the frame member legs that face each other, and means associated with the top portions 5 of the different frame members and lying in said space therebetween for releasably securing the said cover, said means being adapted to constitute a continuous closure between said top portions upon removal of said cover. l0

4. A handbag including a bag, frame members movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag, said cover having portions extending over the frame members, and means for releasl5 ably securing the said cover portions to mount the cover on the frame members, said means being swingably mounted on the frame members to releasably engage the cover, said means being vertically movable up and down as the cover is 20 in engaged or detached position. Y

5. A device including a handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag,

a cover removably mounted on the handbag and 25 extending over the frame members inward of the handbag, and elements associated with the different frame members between the same and being movable with the frame members, said elements having flanges extending away from each 30 other so as to extend over the frame members and the adjacent portions of the cover, said elements being movable for moving said flanges toward and away from the respective frame members according as the cover is removed or 35 mounted.

6. A handbag including a bag, U-shaped frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, said frame members having their top portions spaced from 40 each other in the closed position of the bag, a removable cover for the bag extending along the frame members, elements spaced from the frame members and associated with the respective frame members to move therewith and to over- 45 lie the cover to secure the same in place, said elements being movable to different positions relative to the frame members according as the cover is removed or mounted in place so that said elements close the space between the said top 50 portions regardless whether the cover is removed or not and with said elements closing the spaces between the elements and the respective frame members.

'7. A handbag including a bag, U-shaped frame 55 members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag extending over the top` portions of the frame members and between the same inward of the bag, said frame members 50 having their legs provided with offsetting means to space the said top portions from each other to receive the cover in the closed position of the bag.

8. A handbag including a bag, U-shaped frame 55 members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag extending over the top portions of the frame members and between the same inward of the bag, said frame members having certain of their legs provided with closure portions for the ends of the bag to permit the top portions of the frame members to be spaced from each other to receive the cover in the closed position of the bag. 7

- 9.1A handbag including a bag, frame members thereformovable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag extending over the frame members and inward of the bag, means between the frame members for releasably mounting the cover, and latching means releasably interconnecting the frame members and causing the latter to exert pressure therebetween on the cover to prevent accidental release of the cover when the bag is latched closed.

10. A handbag including a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag extending over the frame members and inward of the bag, elements between the frame members pivotally mounted on the different frame members for movement toward the respective frame members for securing the cover, and means for securing the frame members to each other to lock the bag closed and to cause the frame members to press the pivotal elements toward cover securing position.

ll. In a handbag having frame members provided with releasably interengaged upwardly extending latching elements for locking the bag closed, a cover for the bag having a main portion adapted to receive the bag and having marginal portions adapted to extend over the top portions of the frame members and downward therebetween, said marginal portions having openings for receiving the latching elements, means for release-bly securing said marginal portions to mount the cover, the downward extending portions having openings at a lower elevation than the rst mentioned openings, said means being engageable in the last named openings.

12. A handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, releasably interengaged latching elements secured to the frame members, said latching elements having shank portions alined transversely of the frame members, and a reversible cover for the bag having alined openings to receive said alined shank portions.

13. A device including a handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag extending over the frame members and having marginal portions therebetween, clips located generally between the frame members and secured to the respective frame members, plates between the frame members overlying the marginal portions of the cover, each clip having a plurality of vertically spaced engagement portions, and the plates having means engageable with said portions of the clips so that the plates are movable to different vertically spaced positions.

14. A device including a handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, said frame members being of inverted channel shape in cross section and the bag being secured therein, the outer flanges of the members being shorter than the inner flanges, the bag walls overlying said outer flanges, a cover for the bag folded over said frame members and having marginal portions lying along the inner faces of the inner flanges, and angle elements extending along the frame members with certain flanges therebetween and other flanges overlying the folded portions of the cover at the frame members.

15. A device including a handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a cover for the bag having portions between the frame members, and means for securing the cover 5 portions to the respective frame members, said means including an angle member having one flange lying along the inner-side of a frame memand a second ange overlying the frame member, said angle member being movable up 10 and down and being swingable toward and away from its frame member, as set forth.

16. A device including a handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag. 15 a cover for the bag having portions between the frame members, and means for securing the cover portions to the respective frame members, said means including an angle member having one flange lying along the inner side of a frame mem- 20 ber and a second flange overlying the frame member, said angle member being movable up and down and being svvingable toward and away from its frame member, and a single spring for urging the angle member downward and toward its 25 frame member.

1'7. A handbag including a bag, frame members therefor movabletoward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a cover for the bag having marginal portions disposed between 30 the frame members, means between said marginal portions for engaging the latter with the respective frame members, each of said means including an element spaced from its coacting frame member and having pivotal means mount- 35 ing the element on the frame member, means spaced from the pivotal means and located between the frame member and the element to maintain the latter generally parallel to the frame member, the last mentioned means having 40 releasable locking engagement with the marginal portions of the cover to support the same.

18. A device including a handbag having a bag, U-shaped frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and 45 open the bag, a cover for the bag folded over the top portions of the frame members and having marginal portions lying between the same, and means for securing said marginal portions to the top portions of the respective frame members, 50 said top portions being spaced from each other to receive the said marginal portions and said means, and said means including elements affording a closure for the space between the said top portions.

19. A device including a handbag having a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag folded over the frame members and having portions lying there- 60 between, and means intermediate of said portions for engaging the same with the respective frame members, said handbag being adapted to be used without the cover, said means including an angle member for each frame member and extending therealong, said angle member having an outward projecting flange for its frame member, said angle member being movable along a path transverse of its frame member so that said ,m flange substantially contacts the frame member when the cover is removed and is spaced from the frame member to overlie the cover in the attached position of the latter, and said angle member including another ange maintained in 'u substantially constant spaced relation to its frame member.

20. A device including a handbag having a bag, U-shaped frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, the frame members having their top portions spaced and their end portions interengaged in the closed position of the bag, a removable cover for the bag, said coverk being folded over said top portions and having marginal portions extending downward through said spacing, means for releasably securing said marginal portions to the handbag so that the cover opens and closes therewith, and means for releasably interengaging the frame members to lock the handbag and to cause said top portions Vof the frame members to exert pressure on the cover therebetween.

21. A device having a handbag, including a bag, frame members for the bag movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover for the bag, said cover being folded over the frame members and having marginal portions extending between the frame members inward of the handbag, means comprising portions having male and female interengagement in a direction transverse to the frame members for releasably securing said marginal portions to the handbag to cause the cover to be supported on the frame members, and latching means releasably interconnecting the frame members to cause them to exert pressure on the cover therebetween in the said transverse direction.

22. A handbag including a bag, frame members therefor movable toward and away from each other to close and open the bag, a removable cover having marginal portions, said frame members having individual means movable at will to detachably mount the cover, said means having portions movable into contact with the frame members and into spaced relation to the frame members for overlying said marginal portions continuously and uniformly pressing the same against the frame members, said means having other portions between the frame members and maintained in contant relationship to their respective frame members in the attached and detached position of the cover so as to co-operate with the frame members to constitute therewith a uniform marginal closure means for the mouth of the bag.

LOUIS PERL. 

